Controversy, questions of professionalism, and accusations of autocracy continue to surround Peter Butler, head coach of the Bangladesh national women’s football team. Allegations against the British coach are not new; following Bangladesh’s consecutive victories in the SAFF Women’s Championship, eighteen players openly rebelled against his methods. Although the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) intervened and some tensions were eased, five of the SAFF-winning players have not been called up to the national squad since.
These players — Sabina Khatun, Masura Parvin, Matsushima Sumaiya, Krishna Rani, and Sanjida Akter — were instrumental in securing Bangladesh’s first-ever futsal title, yet appear to have fallen out of favour, allegedly due to Butler’s personal grievances.
While leading the national camp in preparation for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, Butler simultaneously took charge of the Under-19 SAFF team. The results, however, were disappointing: Bangladesh suffered a 4-0 defeat in the final. Butler failed to attend the post-match press conference, leaving explanations to a brief message sent to media outlets later in the evening. He attributed the loss to player fatigue, stating:
“The players were both physically and mentally exhausted. I felt they were not in the right condition, although I tried to keep them fresh before the match.”
Critics argue that Butler’s pattern of taking credit in victory while deflecting responsibility in defeat has become a recurring theme in Bangladeshi football. Questions are being raised not just about the final defeat — in which a team previously beaten with ease in league play conceded four goals in three days — but also about Butler’s decision-making and accountability.
Last year, Bangladesh impressed at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers in Myanmar, earning a place in the main tournament for the first time. The team will now face some of Asia’s most formidable opponents:
| Group A Opponents | AFC Women’s Asian Cup Titles |
|---|---|
| China | 9 |
| North Korea | 3 |
| Uzbekistan | 0 |
| Bangladesh | First appearance |
Despite the ongoing national team camp, Butler reportedly prioritised youth development, travelling to Nepal to manage the U-19 squad. His initial squad selections drew criticism, as established and experienced players like Sabina and Masura were overlooked in favour of a few short trials, which led to the inclusion of Sweden-based footballer Anika Rania Siddiqui.
Returning to Dhaka, Butler is set to refocus on preparing the senior team for the upcoming AFC campaign, training players such as Afeeza, Maria, and Tahura. Yet concerns remain over whether his unpredictable and seemingly autocratic approach could affect Bangladesh’s performance on Asia’s biggest stage. Observers now watch closely to see if his strategy, which blends youth promotion with questionable senior team decisions, will prove effective or detrimental.